(Washington) - United States Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) praised Slovakia’s leadership in international affairs in a meeting Tuesday with Slovak Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok. Their discussion touched on issues of international security, trans-Atlantic cooperation, and U.S. business investment in Slovakia. Smith reiterated his strong support for Slovakia’s admission to NATO.

“I am deeply grateful for the tremendous support Slovakia has given to the United States, and to the world, in the war against terrorism,” said Smith. “Slovakia has really played a leadership role in meeting the common challenges our countries face today.”

“I hope the Slovak Government will aggressively pursue this issue and take every possible step to stop coerced sterilization,” said Smith. “It is also imperative that the government ensure that there is no retaliation against those who report or otherwise exercise their right to free speech on coerced sterilization.”

Slovakia has about 750 personnel deployed worldwide on NATO- and UN-led peace support operations, including in Kosovo, as well as an engineering unit in Afghanistan. In late February, Slovakia deployed a nuclear, biological and chemical unit to Kuwait.

The United States Helsinki Commission, an independent federal agency, by law monitors and encourages progress in implementing provisions of the Helsinki Accords. The Commission, created in 1976, is composed of nine Senators, nine Representatives and one official each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce.